Frequently Asked Questions
This section covers general questions about Legacies. For specific questions about playing your first game please check out
'
Your First Game of Legacies' later in the New Players' Orientation.
In addition to this section parents may want to read '
Parents' Q&A' prior to permitting their teenager to attend an event.
What exactly is Legacies? Legacies is a Live Action Role Playing game, also known as a LARP. Legacies is a kind of LARP known as a 'live-combat' or 'boffer LARP' because it uses 'boffer weapons' to simulate combat
OK, what's a 'boffer weapon'? A 'boffer weapon' is a safe replica of a sword, axe, or other medieval weapon that is used to play out combat. Boffer weapons are light, padded prop weapons, and they are designed so that they are not able to injure someone. They are usually made from PVC piping and have pipe foam insulation on them, covered in duct tape. Some weapons use other materials instead of PVC as the core, such as fiberglass or graphite; these are called 'ultra-light' because they are made with lightweight kite supplies, and move very fast. Latex weapons are also legal at Legacies. These are usually commercially produced weapons that look much more like the real thing. Somewhat more care must be exercised when using latex weapons and they are more expensive and require more maintenance.
What's with all the costumes and makeup? The world that the game of Legacies is set in is roughly a mélange of high fantasy, medieval, and renaissance settings. Costumes and makeup make the game more enjoyable and easier to stay in game. It's one thing to say 'I am playing a goblin,' and it's another to be decked out with green skin and a crooked nose. It makes it easier to act your part if you and the other players look something like the characters you are portraying.
Do you guys think this stuff is *real*? No. It's a game. We encourage people to play the game with dedication and enthusiasm, and the best players are the ones who act as though it’s real, but there are no illusions that what happens at a Legacies event is anything other than pure fiction. It is very much like playing a role in a play or film. The only difference is that we make the story up as we go.
I know you said it's safe. What about accidents? There is a First Aid kit on site at all times, and some of the staff have First Aid or EMT training. In addition, the staff is in contact with the local park ranger in case of severe emergencies.
Where do you play? We have several sites that we rotate based on facilities and availability. Check our
Events page on the website for more information. We play at either Boy Scout camps or State Parks.
How much does it cost to play? The event fee is $35 per event. You can save $5 if you
pre-register on the website no later than the midnight of the Wednesday prior to the event. Your first event we give you an additional $5 discount. We do not charge for our
Rulebook or Players Guide, nor do we have a membership fee. The amount that each player wishes to invest in his or her garb and equipment varies. It can be very simple and a lot of good props can be gleaned from Goodwill. Some people do spend significant amounts of money on their equipment, but it is up to the individual player.
I'm an experienced LARPer, and I want to play. Are your rules online? Yes. The
Rulebook on the website is the most current version. New players who have previous LARP or SCA experience may qualify to start their first character with more skill points and should contact
logistics@legacieslarp.org for more information.
I have a character or concept from another LARP or the SCA, can I bring it into Legacies? Yes. New players who have previous LARP or SCA experience may qualify to start their first character with more skill points. In this case, you are bringing in a concept that theoretically has some background and that you have some experience in playing. Please review the setting information in
the Players Guide and tailor your new character’s background to match our game world. You should submit your character history to the Head of the Plot committee at
plot@legacieslarp.org for approval prior to playing any part of the history at an event.
Can girls play? Of course, Some of our best players, including our best fighters, are female.
What about children? For safety and legal reasons, we require our players to be at least 18 years of age to show up at an event. We do allow some players between 16-18 to attend. In these cases that player must be sponsored by a current player who is over 18, and the young player must arrive on site with a copy of our under age waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. The
waiver can be found in the Logistics section of the website for download.
Can parents play? Sure, why not? Again, some of our best players are parents. Granted, not everyone will want to be active and participate in the combat aspect of the game. However, there are plenty of opportunities for parents to be as active as they want in the game, or behind the scenes and helping run the game (cooking, etc.). We highly encourage parents to be involved in the game. Not only do they get to be active and involved with their kids, but they get to have fun, too!
I'm of the legal drinking age. Can't I bring a bottle of wine to make my Legacies experience more authentic? No. Alcoholic beverages of any kind are strictly prohibited. There are several reasons why, but the most important is that Legacies has many players who are under the legal drinking age, and we have an obligation to protect them. The policy against alcohol, and drugs, is a zero tolerance policy.
Are there any other policies I need to know about? Yes. Please take a moment to read the
Legacies Policies page, which covers both game-play and personal conduct while at one of our events, or using our website.
